Indian pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah was seen leaving the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on day two along with the team doctor and a security officer. Bumrah, who had bowled eight overs on the second day, stayed off the field for three of the last five overs bowled in the morning session. Although he returned for the final two before Lunch, he did not roll his arm over.
Following lunch, Bumrah bowled only one over but his struggles were clearly reflected in his bowling, with his speeds taking a dip. The quickest ball he bowled in that over was clocked in at just 130 kph. He left the field immediately after his over ended and did not come back. The break in proceedings following Alex Carey’s wicket showed the visuals of the left-arm pacer leaving the stadium in a car with other two staff.
Later, it was confirmed that Bumrah had back spasms, though it is uncertain whether he will return for the remaining game. At the close of the day’s play, his teammate Prasidh Krishna provided the update on Bumrah,
“Yes, he had a back spasm. He had gone for scans. The medical team is monitoring him. So we will know whenever the medical team gets back to us,”
Following Bumrah’s departure from the venue, Virat Kohli took over the captaincy responsibilities since India did not have a designated vice-captain to lead the side in his absence.
Jasprit Bumrah’s workload has been under scrutiny lately since he bowled more than he has in any series following his return from injury last year. So far on this tour, the southpaw has bowled a total of a staggering 151.2 overs, which is more than any bowler in this BGT edition. His 53.2 overs tally at the MCG was the most he has ever bowled in a single Test match. Even before the injury scare, his workload was a talking point. When asked Rohit Sharma, then skipper of the side, confessed that Bumrah was being over-bowled.
“If somebody is in such a great form, you want to try and maximize that form how much ever you can. And that is what we’ve been trying to do with Bumrah. But there comes a time where you need to step back a little bit and give him that little bit of extra breather as well. So, we’ve been very careful.” Rohit Sharma said following the MCG Test.
“I’ve been very careful. I talk to him about how he feels and stuff like that. So, yeah. Those things should be managed carefully. And I’m trying to do that on the field.”
Bumrah himself said previously he feels better equipped to manage his workload when captaining the side. He bowled only 30 overs in the Perth Test, which was the last time he captained the team.
“I can manage myself the best when I am captain,” he said earlier on this tour when asked if captaincy feels like an added responsibility. “Because I know when I am fresh, when I have to push myself, and when I have to take extra responsibility.”
